The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to keep electric utilities busy with its aggressive regulations.

Wiregrass Electric Co-op and our wholesale power provider, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, are tracking several regulatory measures that have the potential to raise the price of electricity for consumers.

MACT Rule:

EPA’s Utility MACT rule – one of the most stringent rules ever proposed – is making its way toward becoming final. This rule would require any company operating a boiler to install equipment to reduce mercury, hydrochloric acid and particulate matter. Similar MACT rules would also affect pulp and paper companies, the steel industry and chemical manufacturers.

This rule comes with a hefty price tag – EPA estimates it will cost $10.9 billion for compliance. The New York Times reported that as many as 50,000 workers in the utility, mining and railroad industries could lose their jobs as a result of this rule.

The National Economic Research Associates estimates that the Utility MACT rule would cause average retail electricity prices to increase by 14.5 percent by 2016 – or $14.50 for every $100 on your power bill. For many Americans already feeling the effects of the recession, a 14.5 percent increase in their electric costs would be devastating.

President Obama himself embraced the need to closely scrutinize the cost and economic impact of new environmental regulations. He said that government agencies should “tailor its regulations to impose the least burden on society.”  WEC encourages EPA to honor the spirit of the president’s position and rethink the Utility MACT rule. 

Your Board of Trustees and I agree that utilities should ensure their operations have a minimal impact on the environment, and I’m proud of the accomplishments of our industry over the past 30 years. Gary Smith, CEO at PowerSouth feels the same way.  We believe energy providers should play an active role in planning for future energy needs.

WEC supports initiatives that protect our ability to provide our members with reliable, affordable energy. Laws like Utility MACT threaten our very way of life. Making electricity more expensive would be detrimental for both you, our members, and the economy. I urge you, as consumers of energy, to take an active role in energy-related issues. Familiarize yourself with the issues, ask questions and vote for political candidates who support initiatives to protect reliable, affordable electricity.